What Is Wavelength and How Is It Related to Frequency?

What is wavelength?

How is wavelength defined in terms of frequency?

Definition of Wavelength

Wavelength is a term used to describe the distance between two identical points in a wave, such as adjacent crests in consecutive cycles. It is typically measured in meters (m), centimeters (cm), or millimeters (mm).

Relationship with Frequency

Frequency and wavelength are inversely related. The wavelength of a wave can be calculated by taking the reciprocal of the frequency of the wave. This means that as the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases, and vice versa.

Wavelength is an important characteristic of a wave that helps to determine its properties and behavior. It is particularly crucial in understanding the relationship between frequency and wavelength in a wave.

When a wave passes through a medium, particles in the medium will fluctuate around their mean position as the wave moves across. The frequency of the wave refers to the number of oscillations per second and is measured in Hertz (Hz).

The wavelength of a wave can be calculated using the formula: wavelength = 1 / frequency. So, if a wave has a frequency of 4.47 * 10^14 Hz, the corresponding wavelength would be 0.22 * 10^-5 nm.